BMW to Build Coupe-Cabriolet Version of New 3 Series

BMW is poised to join the growing trend of combined coupe-cabriolets with retractable metal roofs when it unveils its next-generation 3 Series convertible in fall 2006.

The new 3 Series coupe-cabrio will replace the 3 Series coupe and the 3 Series convertible. Ford, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot and Renault all have launched four-seater coupe-cabrios, but prestigious manufacturers have shied away from the concept, preferring separate traditional convertibles and coupes of their sedan-derived models.

So BMW's decision could give the Bavarian carmaker an advantage over rivals such as Audi and Mercedes, which have said they are sticking with traditional soft-top and coupe versions of their next A4 and CLK models, respectively. Paradoxically, Mercedes' two-seater sports cars, the SLK and the SL, have retractable metal roofs, while BMW's Z4 is a traditional ragtop.

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Noooooooooo!! This is going to be a disaster, please stick with rag tops. four-seater cars ith metalfolding roof have weird looking profiles and rear. Just look the cars coming from VV, Volvo and Peugot. They all look very weird, especially when the roof isn't folded down. Combine this phenomenon with Bangle design and the result will be...............horror

hava you actually seen the spy-pics? It's even hard to tell coupé and CC from each other. And since it will be alu, weight won't be an issue.

Eventhough the weight issue if os the table the metal folding roof still requires lots of space and the car will probably end up with a very huge ass. I will be very suprise if the BMW manages to make car look good.

I actually like the new VW Eos very much. So all CC cars are not ugly.
On the other hand Megane CC and Peugeot 307 CC are hideous.

It looks good from the front and when the roof is folded down but when the roof isn't folded down the car's huge ass is exposed and the profile looks hideous and this is the case with all CCs.

What about the SLK? THat's got a metal folding roof right?

And the other thing is that those rims are not new (on the spy pics). They are the same one as the one available on the E90 sedan... 17"

Yes the SLK and SL have foolding metal roofs but since they are two seaters the roof is quite small and doesn't require a huge ass for storgin the folded roof.

Of course, good point
Well from looking at those pics, you can tell that the E90 coupe seems a lot more elongated than the E46.



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That's the part that's worrying me is that they won't be able to make the car seem compact and sporty. And the rumour that the license plate is going to be on the bottom doesn't help me sleep better at night either.

Well it's unfair to compare the E90 coupe to a E46 M3 since he M-cars are usually more "phat" compared with the normal cars.